Arizona Game & Fish (AZGFD) Heritage Fund
AZGFD Heritage Grant Workshop Welcome Introductions Overview Important information Application HOW-TO Questions
Heritage Fund Grants Program The Heritage Fund Grants Program was established in 1992 by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission The Heritage Grants Program benefits communities statewide and supports critical conservation programs throughout Arizona Since Inception, the Department has awarded over 800 Heritage Grants totaling more than $16,000,000 Heritage grants are funded solely through the Arizona Game and Fish Department s Heritage Fund If the Department does not receive its full allocation of Heritage dollars, available funding for grants may be reduced.
Heritage Grant Eligible Applicants Federal, Tribal, State or Local governments; public school districts and charter schools Non-profit organization 501(C) are now eligible without a government sponsor
Heritage Grant Sub-categories and Dollars Available Environmental Education $ 16,000.00 Outdoor Education $ 16,000.00 Schoolyard Habitat $ 30,000.00 Urban Wildlife $100,000.00 Public Access $ 50,000.00 IIAPM $200,000.00
Heritage Grants Awarded 2017 Grant Cycle $Avail/Award #Apps/Award Environmental Ed $ 16k/$16k 23/5 Outdoor Ed $ 16k/$16k 20/9 Schoolyard $ 30k/$29.8k 13/3 Urban $100k/$100k 26/7 Public Access $ 50k/$50k 6/2 IIAPM $200k/$124,159 8/4 In 2017 we received 96 applications and 30 Grants were Awarded 31% success rate
2017 Heritage Grant DEADLINE DATE Tuesday, October 31, 2017 by 5:00 p.m. Arizona Game and Fish Department Phoenix Office 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086
Heritage Grant Submittals Hard Copy Applications - One original and one copy Signature on the application must be an individual who has signature authority Electronic applications are accepted-must be received by the DEADLINE date and time. (Scanned or Electronic Signatures are accepted) Note: if emailing proposal we highly recommend applicant confirms receipt by calling 623-236-7530 Faxed copies will not be accepted.
AGFD Heritage Grants ALL Grant applicants must submit by Deadline Date Four-page application (EE, OE, Schoolyard, Urban, Public Access & IIAPM) ALL supporting documents are required with initial application. Heritage Grant application materials and forms can be found at www.azgfd.gov/w_c/heritage_apply.shtml
Heritage Grant Pre-Screening EE, OE, Schoolyard, Urban, Public Access & IIAPM Pre-screen criteria: Eligible Applicant Proposal must meet one or more of the Goals, Objectives or Priorities listed within the respective Funding Window Application must have authorized signature All OE proposals must include a Field-trip itinerary All proposals that meet the pre-screen criteria will transition to the grant Review and Scoring process
Heritage Grant Review & Scoring Scoring Teams are established for each fund subcategory Teams comprised of 3-5 members (with 2-3 AGFD and 1-2 Heritage Public Advisory Committee members) Teams evaluate proposals using evaluation criteria listed on Page-8 of the Heritage grants manual
Heritage Grant Review & Scoring Each proposal is reviewed & scored based on its own merit Each proposal evaluated against evaluation criteria and assigned a score by each scoring team member Compiled scores highest-to-lowest in rank-order Scoring team recommendations are presented to AGFD Executive Staff for review, discussion and approval then the Director for final approval
Heritage Grants Funding Window (FW) FWs for each fund Sub-Category are reviewed & approved by our Department annually Approved FWs cannot change during Heritage grant cycle All Proposals Must meet one or more FW Goals, Objectives or Priorities to be Eligible
Environmental Education (EE) Funding Window $16,000 CRITERION 1: Educator Professional Development Partnerships. The emphasis of this criterion is to provide funds to off-set costs associated with Department-sponsored educator professional development training. These costs may include teacher leave time, substitute teacher fees, facility rentals, related classroom materials, and more. The training may be orientated toward a specific school or district, Arizona County or college/university pre-service program. Preference will be given to continued and sustained training, as opposed to one-time workshops. Professional development must focus on Arizona wildlife species and emphasize one or more of the specific topics listed in E.E. Funding Windows: CRITERION 2. North American Model of Wildlife Conservation Education and Outreach-To develop and implement unique projects that can educate the general public on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. CRITERION 3. Developing Natural Resource Stewards-To fund collaborative multi-agency/organization projects that use outdoor recreation as the foundation to develop public appreciation and stewardship of natural resource conservation.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Guidelines Focus on wildlife species native to Arizona Must impact Arizona schools and students Should span academic disciplines and grade levels Continued/sustained training preferred vs. one-time workshops Enhance public awareness / safeguarding natural resources
OUTDOOR EDUCATION (OE) Funding Window $16,000 CRITERION 1. Arizona Outdoor, Nature-Based Field Trip Experience - to get students into nature to explore habitats and wildlife first hand. CRITERION 2. Outdoor Programs at the Hirsch Conservation Education Area Field-Trip - to bring students to the BASF Biscuit Tank.
Heritage OE Guidelines OE proposals must also include field-trip itinerary Projects must be closed in one year Funds can only be used to cover transportation and substitute teacher fees and resource costs necessary to carryout the activities Should include pre/post activities to ensure learning continues beyond the individual field-trip Applicants seeking AGFD on-site support for both classroom presentation and hands-on activity must specify this within their application proposal
SCHOOLYARD HABITAT Funding Window $30,000 CRITERION 1: Development of New Wildlife Habitats on School sites. CRITERION 2: Enhancement or Restoration of Heritage Funded Schoolyard Habitat.
Schoolyard Guidelines Must involve students in all project phases Must demonstrate long-term use and sustainability Development, design, construction and habitat site protection are all fundable costs Funds are primarily intended to be used for wildlife habitat improvements and should not be used for items considered decorative or ornamental Proposal must include a map/design and a sample list of native plants that will be in your habitat
Heritage SCHOOLYARD Habitats Projects should promote wildlife and habitat education through project design Desert tortoise enclosure
Heritage SCHOOLYARD Habitats Funds used to purchase scientific equipment, tools, computers, optics, etc. is an allowable expense however, these should be reasonable in scope compared to the overall requested budget Students should be active participants from initial design and implementation to final evaluation and project closure
Ineligible Projects Research without direct application to wildlife or wildlife habitats Picnic areas, playgrounds and parks Trails not related to wildlife or wildlife habitats Interpretive materials relating to history or archaeology General landscaping or vegetable garden projects
URBAN WILDLIFE Funding Window $100,000 CRITERION 1: Human/Wildlife Conflicts: Projects that reduce risk of critical incident conflicts. CRITERION 2: Watchable Wildlife Viewing: Wildlifefocused festivals, programs, workshops. CRITERION 3: Wildlife Corridors/Habitat Conservation: Projects supporting and/or promoting urban smart growth efforts and projects that would study impacts to wildlife of new/proposed urban development. CRITERION 4: Urban and Community Fishing Waters: Projects to improve sport fishery populations and enhance fish habitats.
URBAN Wildlife Guidelines Conserve, enhance and establish wildlife and wildlife habitats in harmony with urban environments within an incorporated area or in close proximity to an urban area. Increase public awareness of urban wildlife/urban habitat resources. Project must be: within city or town; or within 5 miles of the boundary or in an Urban area that receive significant impact from human use.
Heritage URBAN Wildlife Projects Urban wildlife viewing guide Urban lake fish habitat or Angler enhancement projects Wildlife viewing blind or platform
Heritage Urban Wildlife Projects Interpretative signs about an urban wildlife of nature trail An educational exhibit about urban wildlife Projects that focus on wildlife viewing Projects that focus on public enjoyment of wildlife in urban setting Projects that enhance wildlife viewing opportunities Projects that increase angling recreation
PUBLIC ACCESS Funding Window $50,000 CRITERION 1: Create, maintain or enhance wildlife-oriented recreational access (motorized or non-motorized) onto public or State Trust lands previously inaccessible to the public CRITERION 2: Obtain perpetual or other long-term rights-ofway to secure public access for wildlife oriented recreation where it may be jeopardized by potential land development, energy development or other land status changes. CRITERION 3: Create, maintain or enhance existing wildlifeoriented recreational access (motorized or non-motorized) onto public lands through improved design and construction methods.
PUBLIC ACCESS Funding Window $50,000 CRITERION 4: Education and information outreach pertaining to public access in Arizona, including ethical and responsible use of private and public lands, and opportunities for volunteerism. CRITERION 5: Realignment of existing access routes to protect sensitive habitat areas. CRITERION 6: Projects that improve anglers access to urban or community fishing waters, lakes with public access, streams with public access, and to other community waters used by anglers. Any project that improves angler access is allowed, including construction projects, leases, or other improvements that benefit angler access.
Heritage PUBLIC ACCESS Guidelines Ensure public lands or waterways in AZ are available to the general public for wildlife-oriented recreational use Responsible use of public and private lands Where feasible, projects designed and constructed to accommodate persons with disabilities
Heritage PUBLIC ACCESS Projects Enhanced recreational access thru improved design and construction Realignments of existing access routes to protect sensitive habitats Enhanced recreational access to a public waterway including accommodations for persons with disabilities
Heritage IIAPM Funding Window $200,000 Identification, Inventory, Acquisition, Protection and Management (IIAPM) CRITERION 1: Projects that focus on species the Department actively manages or species the Department needs more information to allow for active management CRITERION 2: Projects that address any other species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) information needs
Heritage IIAPM Guidelines Preserve and enhance Arizona s natural biological diversity Proposals must be consistent with one or more of the priorities listed within the IIAPM Funding Window
Heritage IIAPM Project Ideas Development and/or evaluation of translocation methods for nongame wildlife. Develop a method to determine accurate populations of Gila topminnow.
Heritage IIAPM Project Ideas To assist the Department in designing effective Sonoran desert tortoise conservation and wildlife management actions, conduct studies to investigate tortoise demography or threats. Assessing Raptor Concentration Areas to include migration corridors, stop-over habitats, and/or wintering areas south of Interstate 40.
Heritage Grant Special Notes Max OE request $2,500 & $10,000 for EE and Schoolyard No Max amount for Urban, Public Access or IIAPM Grant Agreement Effective Date Date signed by Director Funds should be requested within 120 days of grant effective date Projects must be completed within 36 months of grant effective date, except OE is 12 months 90% of grant award is paid up-front, and the final 10 % when the project closes Must control land or waters for any capital improvements All current application materials needed to apply for Heritage Grant are listed on Department website
Heritage Project Partners Neighborhood or Community Groups Universities Community Colleges Public Schools/Districts to include Charter Schools Federal, State, and Local Agencies Private Consultants Non-Governmental Organizations
AGFD Heritage Grants Heritage Grant Cycle Estimated Timeline Aug 2017 Aug 2017 Oct 31 Nov Nov-Dec Dec Jan Feb Public Announcement of 2018 Heritage Grant Cycle Grant Workshops conducted statewide GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE Application Pre-Screening Process Application Evaluation and Scoring Process Rank-Order Lists compiled Rank-order lists approved by E-Staff & Director Grant Agreements initiated and sent to successful applicants and funds awarded
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Budget Worksheet Personnel Include title of each position necessary to complete project List line-item breakout of all positions List hourly $ rate & total hours anticipated for each position needed to complete project Volunteer labor based on type of work activity & designated as match Although match not required, highly encouraged as Heritage Grant award process is competitive. All match must be documented and secure. Heritage funds can not be used to supplant (or replace) personnel costs for any permanent salaried or hourly employee However, if employees involved in planning or completion of project, anticipated personnel costs can be included as match
Budget Worksheet Wage Estimates Bureau of Labor Statistics Website: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_az.htm Estimate of Hourly Wage Rate Examples: Project Administration - $15.10 Project Management - $41.76 Construction Laborer - $13.28 Grounds Maintenance - $10.04 Equipment Operator - $20.85 Habitat Designer - $24.06
Budget Worksheet Development List all design, construction and development items needed to complete the project Work already completed (pre-agreement) can only be listed as match, and is not a reimbursable expense Equipment rentals and associated costs are allowable if used for completion of a project
Budget Worksheet Other Travel: Heritage funds used for travel to/from study/research areas at 44.5 cents per mile rate Supplies: List all anticipated supplies needed for the project. Indirect Costs: Proposals can only list indirect costs as match Equipment: At the end of the project period any equipment purchased with grant dollars over $500.00 must either be authorized for continued use by the applicant for the original purpose or surrendered to the Department.
Grant Report & Product Requirements Project semiannual progress reports Mid-year reports due July 31 st End-of-year reports due January 31 st Project participants responsible to maintain project financial statements and receipts Draft project reports 30-days prior to close-out Final project close-out report/product(s)
Project On-Site Monitoring Inspections All Heritage grant projects are subject to monitoring inspections this includes: Open or ongoing projects Closed Projects (within 5 years of grant closure) Projects that are still within the Term of Public Use. Term of Public Use refers to the time period during which the project or/facility is expected to be maintained for public use
Heritage Grant Contact Information Robyn Beck, Wildlife Grant Administrator, 623-236-7530, rbeck@azgfd.gov for any questions related to the Heritage Grant application process or Heritage Grant program administration
Heritage Schoolyard Pond School District: Paradise Valley Unified School District School: Sonoran Sky Elementary School Project title: Native Habitat. Awarded: $8,900.00 Date awarded: 8/95
AZGFD Heritage Grants Questions or Comments?